The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) Ad Hoc Committee says former members who were appointed to diplomatic positions are welcome to return to the organisation, as it pushes ahead with its legal challenge against the coalition’s leadership.
Speaking during an engagement meeting with HRDC Central Region members on civic space and good governance, HRDC Southern Region leader Henderson Mhango said serving in a foreign embassy should not automatically prevent former activists from rejoining HRDC.
“For those who were appointed to go to foreign embassies from HRDC during MCP time, who want to join HRDC, there’s no problem because going to an embassy doesn’t mean they joined frontline politics,” Mhango said.
However, he said individuals who allegedly participated in partisan politics while serving in diplomatic, positions should face scrutiny before being allowed to resume their roles in the coalition.
The issue comes against the background of diplomatic appointments made during the administration of former President Lazarus Chakwera. Among the HRDC activists reported to have been appointed to diplomatic positions were Billy Mayaya, Luke Tembo and MacDonald Sembereka. Their appointments raised questions about the relationship between civil society activism and government, as well as the independence of HRDC.
Mhango said the committee was open to welcoming former members who had served in embassies, but maintained that those who became involved in partisan politics should not be treated in the same way as individuals who simply served in diplomatic positions.
The remarks come as the Ad Hoc Committee prepares to return to court for a full trial in its long-running dispute with the existing HRDC leadership.
Sammy Aaron, leader of HRDC East, said the committee had failed to reach agreement with its colleagues on some of the proposals raised during discussions.
He said the committee was seeking three key governance changes: the establishment of a task force comprising members of HRDC and the Ad Hoc Committee to review the coalition’s constitution, the holding of an Annual General Meeting (AGM), and the granting of clear mandates and powers to regional committees.
Aaron also questioned the legitimacy of HRDC chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa, alleging that he was appointed by former chairperson Gift Trapense without following the proper election procedures.
Meanwhile, Central Region HRDC member Ivy Chiumia said members had agreed that the Ad Hoc Committee should proceed with the court case because they supported its concerns over the coalition’s governance.
The dispute remains centred on HRDC’s leadership, constitutional procedures and the future direction of the human rights body, with the Ad Hoc Committee insisting that reforms are necessary to build a stronger and more accountable coalition.
Speaking during an engagement meeting with HRDC Central Region members on civic space and good governance, HRDC Southern Region leader Henderson Mhango said serving in a foreign embassy should not automatically prevent former activists from rejoining HRDC.
“For those who were appointed to go to foreign embassies from HRDC during MCP time, who want to join HRDC, there’s no problem because going to an embassy doesn’t mean they joined frontline politics,” Mhango said.
However, he said individuals who allegedly participated in partisan politics while serving in diplomatic, positions should face scrutiny before being allowed to resume their roles in the coalition.
The issue comes against the background of diplomatic appointments made during the administration of former President Lazarus Chakwera. Among the HRDC activists reported to have been appointed to diplomatic positions were Billy Mayaya, Luke Tembo and MacDonald Sembereka. Their appointments raised questions about the relationship between civil society activism and government, as well as the independence of HRDC.
Mhango said the committee was open to welcoming former members who had served in embassies, but maintained that those who became involved in partisan politics should not be treated in the same way as individuals who simply served in diplomatic positions.
The remarks come as the Ad Hoc Committee prepares to return to court for a full trial in its long-running dispute with the existing HRDC leadership.
Sammy Aaron, leader of HRDC East, said the committee had failed to reach agreement with its colleagues on some of the proposals raised during discussions.
He said the committee was seeking three key governance changes: the establishment of a task force comprising members of HRDC and the Ad Hoc Committee to review the coalition’s constitution, the holding of an Annual General Meeting (AGM), and the granting of clear mandates and powers to regional committees.
Aaron also questioned the legitimacy of HRDC chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa, alleging that he was appointed by former chairperson Gift Trapense without following the proper election procedures.
Meanwhile, Central Region HRDC member Ivy Chiumia said members had agreed that the Ad Hoc Committee should proceed with the court case because they supported its concerns over the coalition’s governance.
The dispute remains centred on HRDC’s leadership, constitutional procedures and the future direction of the human rights body, with the Ad Hoc Committee insisting that reforms are necessary to build a stronger and more accountable coalition.
